NC0021920_Complinace Evaluation Inspection_20180724

DocuSign Envelope ID: 102EF51 D-E9FE-4065-BFE5-B75DA1AC1 153
ROY COOPER NORTH CAROLINA
Gntisrno? Environmental Quality
_N'QCFLAEL S_ REGAN
Secr612ry
L=am CULPEPPER
:nterun Dznwfor
July 24, 2018
Newlyn McCullen
City of Whiteville
PO Box 607
Whiteville, NC 28472-0607
SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report
Whiteville WRF
NPDES WW Permit No. NCO021920
Columbus County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Whiteville WRF on
6/05/2018. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0021920. The findings and comments
noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled
"Compliance Inspection Report".
There were no significant issues or findings noted during the inspection and therefore, a response to this
inspection report is not required.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Tom Tharrington with the Water
Quality Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215 or via email at
[e-mail].
ATTACHMENTS
Cc: WiRCI Laserfiche
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
E3ABA14AC7DC434...
Morella Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405
910-796-7215

DocuSign Envelope ID: AB6E95F1-48F0-4F84-8487-4A927CB55560
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Form Approved.
EPA Washington, D.C. 20460
OMB No. 2040-0057
Water Compliance Inspection Report
Approval expires 8-31-98
Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS)
Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type
1 IN I 2 15 I 3 I NCO021920 111 12 I 18/06/05 I17 18 I S J 19 LG] 201 I
211111 1 1 1 1 1 111 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 111 1 1 1 1 1 166
Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved-------------------
67 70 Id I 71 I I 72 I r, I 73I I I74 751 1 1 1 1 1 1 180
I—I I� I I i
Section B: Facility Data
Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include
Entry Time/Date
Permit Effective Date
POTW name and NPDES oermit Number)
10:45AM 18/06/05
17/05/01
Whiteville WRF
1000 Nolan Ave
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Whiteville NC 28472
12:10PM 18/06/05
19/08/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Newlyn Lee McCullen/ORC/910-642-5818/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Brandon S Rich,PO Box 607 Whiteville NC 284720607/Pretreatment
Coordinator/910-642-5818/9106423094 No
Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated)
Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports
Self -Monitoring Program 0 Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
(See attachment summary)
Name(s) and Signature(s) of Inspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Tom Tharrington WIRO WQ/// 7/24/2018
[D—sign,dby:
bM6LS�t AYVilni�}Oln
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
DocuSigned by:
WiRO/ WQROS 7/24/2018
EPA F ro mE�3��0� (�ev 1%4) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#

DocuSign Envelope ID: AB6E95F1-48F0-4F84-8487-4A927CB55560
NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.)
NC0021920 111 121 18/06/05 1 17 18 JCJ
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
Routine compliance inspection including a brief overview of laboratory area and equipment. The facility
is clean and well maintained.
Laboratory bench sheets for BOD analysis, total suspended solids, fecal coliform analysis and
upstream and downstream data sheets were reviewed. Bench sheets and data sheets were complete
and included appropriate information.
A review of the wastewater treatment process was conducted. The grit removal system was down for
maintenance and the staff have determined that the purge/priming water volume was insufficient for
proper unit operation. The line has been upgraded to a 2" line (as was originally installed) and this
appears to have remedied the problem of incomplete grit removal from the basin. Both oxidation
ditches appeared normal color with very little foam or scum on the surface. Mixing and aeration rates
appeared adequate and the ORC reported no maintenance issues with the brush rotors or associated
equipment. The tertiary disc filters were also down for maintenance which included replacement of
filter media "wedges" and replacement a backwash pump. Chlorine contact chamber was clear with no
visible solids present. The facility is currently using the larger aerated sludge storage tank for both
sludge digestion and storage with the aerobic digester tank available for use if needed. Residual sludge
was being hauled from the WWTF for disposal during the inspection visit.
During this visit a review of the wastewater polishing pond closure was conducted. The process
appears to be complete and a final review of the submitted data will be done. A separate letter
documenting the closure completion will be sent from this office after the document and data review.
Page#

DocuSign Envelope ID: AB6E95F1-48F0-4F84-8487-4A927CB55560
Permit: NCO021920 Owner - Facility: Whiteville WRF
Yes No NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures?
0
❑
Inspection Date: 06/05/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
❑
Is the wet well free of excessive grease?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are all pumps present?
0
❑
Permit
Yes No NA NE
(If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new
❑
❑
0
❑
application?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is the facility as described in the permit?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: Permit language includes plans to complete closure of the inactive polishing pond.
This was
reviewed during the compliance inspection and additional correspondence will sent
regarding this matter.
Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ ❑
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment: Facility appears well maintained and operated. On-site laboratory conducts all process
control sampling as well as NPDES compliance analysis.
Pump Station - Influent
Yes No NA NE
Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the wet well free of excessive grease?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are all pumps present?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are all pumps operable?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are float controls operable?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is SCADA telemetry available and operational?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is audible and visual alarm available and operational?
❑
❑
❑
0
Comment: No comment
Bar Screens
Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
❑
b.Mechanical
0
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the screen free of excessive debris?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is disposal of screening in compliance?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the unit in good condition?
0
❑
❑
❑
Page# 3

DocuSign Envelope ID: AB6E95F1-48F0-4F84-8487-4A927CB55560
Permit: NCO021920 Owner - Facility: Whiteville WRF
Inspection Date: 06/05/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Bar Screens
Yes No NA NE
Comment: Mechanical barscreen in place with manual by-pass channel available, screened material is
contained in dumpster.
Grit Removal
Yes No NA NE
Type of grit removal
0
❑
❑
❑
a.Manual
❑
❑
❑
❑
b.Mechanical
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter?
❑
❑
0
❑
Is the grit free of excessive odor?
❑
❑
0
❑
# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
❑
❑
0
❑
Comment: The arit removal system was not in operation durina the inspection. Facilitv staff have
determined that an improperly repaired water supply line has caused the operational
problems with this unit. The 2" supply line had been reduced to 1" after the line was
damaged. This has been replaced and the unit is being prepared for restart. Note: As of late
July 2018 the unit was back in service and Derformina well.
Oxidation Ditches
Yes No NA NE
Are the aerators operational?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process?
0
❑
❑
❑
Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the DO level acceptable?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1)
0
❑
❑
❑
Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes)
❑
❑
❑
0
Comment: Both oxidation ditches were in service during the inspection.
Operations staff indicated the
units have had no major maintenance issues. The primary control of the ditches is varying
the outlet weir levels as needed to adjust RAS rates and control clarifier sludge blanket
levels.
Secondary Clarifier
Yes No NA NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are weirs level?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of weir blockage?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting?
0
❑
❑
❑
Page# 4

DocuSign Envelope ID: AB6E95F1-48F0-4F84-8487-4A927CB55560
Permit: NCO021920 Owner - Facility:
Inspection Date: 06/05/2018 Inspection Type:
Whiteville WRF
Compliance Evaluation
Are pumps in place?
0
❑
Secondary Clarifier
Yes No NA NE
Is scum removal adequate?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the drive unit operational?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth)
❑
❑
❑
0
Comment: All secondary clarifiers were in service.
Pumps -RAS -WAS
Yes No NA NE
Are pumps in place?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are pumps operational?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: No comment
Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)
Yes No NA NE
Type of operation:
Cross flow
❑
❑
Is the filter media present?
0 ❑
❑
❑
Is the filter surface free of clogging?
❑
❑
❑
Is the filter free of growth?
❑
❑
❑
Is the air scour operational?
❑ ❑
❑
❑
Is the scouring acceptable?
❑ ❑
❑
0
Is the clear well free of excessive solids and
filter media? 0 ❑
❑
❑
Comment: The facility uses dual rotary
disc filters for tertiary filtration, these units were down for
maintenance during the inspection.
Several media sections were being replaced and one of
the backwash supply pumps
was to be replaced. Note: as of July 2018 these units were
back in normal service.
Aerobic Digester
Yes No NA NE
Is the capacity adequate?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the mixing adequate?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is the odor acceptable?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: The facility is currently using the sludge storage tank for both storage and digestion. The
aerobic digester is has been cleaned and is availble for use if needed.
Page# 5

DocuSign Envelope ID: AB6E95F1-48F0-4F84-8487-4A927CB55560
Permit: NCO021920 Owner - Facility:
Whiteville WRF
Type of system ?
Liquid
❑
Inspection Date: 06/05/2018 Inspection Type:
Compliance Evaluation
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
❑
❑
Aerobic Digester
Yes No NA NE
Disinfection -Liquid
Yes No NA NE
Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant?
0
❑
❑
❑
(Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operational?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free of leaks/open drains)
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: Chlorine dosage is paced off of the effluent flow meter.
De -chlorination
Yes No NA NE
Type of system ?
Liquid
❑
❑
❑
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
❑
❑
❑
❑
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
❑
❑
0
❑
# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
❑
❑
0
❑
Comment: No comment
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Number of tubes in use?
Comment: No comment
Effluent Sampling
Yes No NA NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is proper volume collected?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the tubing clean?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees
0
❑
❑
❑
Celsius)?
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type
❑
❑
❑
representative)?
Comment: Autosampler refrigerated cabinet temperature was < 6.0°C, unit was clean and well
maintained.
Effluent Pipe
Yes No NA NE
Page# 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: AB6E95F1-48F0-4F84-8487-4A927CB55560
Permit: NC0021920 Owner - Facility: Whiteville WRF
Inspection Date: 06/05/2018 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Effluent Pipe
Yes No NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
0
❑
❑
❑
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: Effluent discharge point was free of any foam or solids, effluent and receiving
stream were
clear and had no odor.
Page# 7